Season review: Denmark
quarta-feira, 19 de maio de 2010
Sumário do artigo
FC København took the league title for the second season in succession, with Odense BK runners-up once more, while FC Nordsjælland won the Danish Cup for the first time.
Conteúdo media do artigo
Corpo do artigo
In terms of league placings, it was as you were at the top of the Danish table, as FC København successfully defended their title with two games to spare while Odense BK finished second. Brøndby IF snatched third place on the final day of the season, while the Danish Cup has a new home.
Champions: FC København
A 4-0 win at home against newcomers HB Køge, already doomed to relegation, confirmed København's retention of the title with two games left to play; it was their second in a row and their seventh in the last ten seasons. They ended up nine points clear of OB, though the Odense side had led the rankings in the run-up to Christmas.
Cup final: FC Nordsjælland 2-0 FC Midtjylland
Bajram Fetai doubled Nordsjælland's lead in extra time after Nicolai Stokholm opened the scoring for the Farum side, with the Wild Tigers snaring their first Danish Cup. Defeat was an all-too familiar situation for Midtjylland, who have reached three cup finals and lost all of them.
European places*
FC København – UEFA Champions League third qualifying round
Odense BK – UEFA Europa League second qualifying round
Brøndby IF – UEFA Europa League, second qualifying round
FC Nordsjælland – UEFA Europa League, second qualifying round
Randers FC (Fair Play winners) – UEFA Europa League, first qualifying round
*Subject to final confirmation from UEFA
Player of the season: Atiba Hutchinson (FC København)
The 27-year-old Canadian showed his worth as an attacking midfielder, with his performances proving to be entertaining as well as effective. His imminent departure for PSV Eindhoven will leave a massive gap to fill for Lions' coach Ståle Solbakken.
One to watch: Yura Movsisyan (Randers FC)
Born in Baku to Armenian parents before moving to the United States as a teenager, 22-year-old forward Movsisyan joined Randers in the January transfer window and helped the Jutland side escape relegation against all odds. Big and strong, he scored seven goals in the spring but by putting himself about helped carve out plenty more opportunities for team-mates.
Surprise package of the season: Randers FC
Movsisyan played his part, but much of the credit for Randers' survival must go to coach Ove Christensen, who stepped in following John Jensen's dismissal in the autumn. Randers started the spring 14 points adrift of safety, but ended up two points clear of AGF Århus – who occupied the final relegation spot.
Leading scorer: Peter Utaka, Odense BK (18)
Number: 40
The unusually-high number of points it took to avoid relegation; tenth-placed Randers were just 12 points adrift of bronze medalists Brøndby.
Relegated: AGF Århus and HB Køge
Promoted: AC Horsens and Lyngby BK
Quote:
"This was fantastic. It was the two clubs of my heart who both succeeded! We had a terribly turbulent season, so obviously this means a lot!"
Randers-born Brøndby chairman Per Bjerregaard celebrates after Brøndby's 3-1 win against his hometown club did not result in their relegation and also secured his side a UEFA Europa League place.